Tyler Chadwick celebrates victory in the SK Modified feature Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl

WATERFORD – On paper it would seem Tyler Chadwick had an easy night at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl Saturday.

Starting on the pole, leading every lap. Nothing but a thing right?

Wrong. Dylan Izzo made Chadwick work, and get the job done he did, driving to victory in the 35-lap NASCAR Whelen All-American Series SK Modified feature Saturday at the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.

It was the first victory of the season for Chadwick who had struggled through the first three events of the season and wrecked in last week’s feature.

“This was just hard work and not giving up,” Chadwick said. “We were pretty down. We didn’t run that good opening day and we had just a couple hard trips the second two races. This is a sport that sometimes it really pushes you and you double think about if you want to keep going on. But there’s no give up in my team.”

Izzo, of Monroe, who scored his first career SK Modified victory at the track last week, was second. Joey Gada of Salem was third.

Chadwick started on the pole and Gada stayed with him for most of the event before Izzo went to second on a restart with 13 laps left.

By lap 25 Izzo was stalking all over Chadwick’s bumper and for the last seven laps Izzo was searching hard for a way to the front. A caution flew to set up a green-white-checkered finish, but Chadwick was up to task of defending over the final two laps.

As a driver i know once you get that first win under your belt you’re different because you have that confidence and you know you can get it done.

“I wasn’t surprised at all,” Chadwick said of Izzo’s second consecutive strong run. “As a driver i know once you get that first win under your belt you’re different because you have that confidence and you know you can get it done.

“… He’s a really good driver and he’s smart and smooth and he’s really proved that this year. He’s got a good car under him and I was nervous. He was fast. I knew he wouldn’t take us out, but I was still nervous. He definitely made us earn it the last seven laps.”

Said Izzo: “It felt great. We definitely had something for Chadwick we just couldn’t get any drive off [the corner]. I tried to do the cross-over but I couldn’t get any bite.”

Good clean night overall TC is gonna win only a matter of time car is fast.

Ok so i have been goin to the races for well a long time but i need some help here.

Opening day car 78 does the the turn 2 divebomb in the feature but all good no problem….ok
Last night coincidentally car 78(imagine that) does the same exact thing,same turn same move but this time in a heat and the only car capable of beating him got hauled off. Penalty for 78. Woopdy do…..,my question is why was the call not made to begin with week 1?? is that the new rule of its ok in the feature but not in the heat?? Lol i just dont get it

OK, it’s time to get some lighting in the tech area before someone gets hurt. Everyone running around during tech with a flashlight in their hand is ridiculous…what are we doing, looking for nightcrawlers, or are we at a proffesional NASCAR race facility? If permanent lighting is too expensive, then bring in a commercial generator. There are little kids running around, baby strollers, and you’ve got racecars and haulers driving in the dark… Let’s smarten up before there is a tragedy.

Justafan- nobody wrecked nor did a caution come out in week 1. I know its confusing to some but thats just how it is. Race officials have enough judgement calls to make as it is… I’d rather not have them throw black flags in week 1 because the 78 “almost” wrecked the 51.
Chris D.- You have a way with words. Very uplifting and persuasive. The Speedbowl is really lacking in their attempt to improve the place.

New walls.
New catch fences.
New light poles.
Fixed and secured all the bleachers.
Cleaned and painted all the concession stands.
Trimmed trees from rt 85 all the way around pits and down back road.
New watching area in pits with a better closers view or track.
New spotter stands.

But I’m guessing your a disabled blind guy.
Heck I only have 1 eye and I saw all that ??